Sally Barnes to speak at the United Nations

We are proud to share that Sally Barnes, founder of Woodcock Smokery, will represent Ireland at the United Nations in Geneva this March as part of a prestigious roundtable exploring the intersection of gender equality and environmental sustainability.

The event, titled “Inclusive Gender: Empowerment for a More Sustainable World,” takes place on 17 March 2025 at the UN Palais des Nations. It is hosted by CLAFG, TSF UrbaNature, and global partners including UN Women, UN Habitat, and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The roundtable brings together international leaders to discuss the vital role of women in sustainability and how gender equity underpins the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sally will contribute insights drawn from decades of pioneering work in sustainable wild fishing, traditional food preservation, and her deep-rooted commitment to Slow Fish and Ireland’s artisan food culture. Her talk will focus on the urgent need to protect wild fish resources and our waters, the value of community-led action, and the importance of both women and men passing on ancestral knowledge in a rapidly changing food system.

Travelling alongside Sally is Anthony O’Toole - fellow Slow Food advocate, chef, writer, and founder of Fat Tomato. As a food culture and travel specialist, Anthony is known for connecting people, places, and purpose through food. Together, Sally and Anthony will spend a few days in Switzerland and France following the event, visiting regional food systems, artisan producers, and biodiversity projects to learn more about the environmental innovations and grassroots movements shaping the future of sustainable food across Europe.

This journey also coincides with the release of “The Keep: A Lifetime Against the Tide” in 2025 - a new documentary film chronicling Sally’s life and work, produced by Be.Polar Studio.

This invitation to speak at the UN is a powerful recognition of Sally’s lifelong advocacy for sustainability, wild food heritage, and gender-inclusive knowledge sharing. It’s also a proud moment for artisan producers and environmental advocates across Ireland.

We’ll be sharing updates and reflections from Geneva - stay tuned.